By Karolyn Gephart
Tourgoers at the 57th Annual Christmas Home Tour on November 18 and 19 hosted by Heritage Gardeners will delight at the creativity in the homes of Tammy and Matt Giffrow and Shawn and Dwight Potter. The holiday spirit is throughout both homes in Friendswood.
Tammy Giffrow and her husband Matt live in Mission Estates and chose the theme Sharing Christmas Joy for the event.
Decorated in traditional red, green, and white, the spacious home has a light and bright feel with holiday theme rooms of Gingerbread, Christmas Glam, and Snowmen. The couple call their holiday decorating style retro and eclectic. Christmas is a joyful time for them. They like to entertain friends and consider their friends as family.
The two have lived in Friendswood for 31 years and enjoy decorating, recycling, and refinishing furniture and antiques.
Shawn and Dwight Potter will not only have many Santa figurines displayed at their house but will also host Santa himself for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Located near the new Cline Elementary School in the West Ranch subdivision, their 4,200 sq. ft. ranch-style home will have the appropriate theme of Santa Claus is coming to Friendswood.
Shawn is a member of Keep Friendswood Beautiful and was instrumental in creating the Fairy Garden in Stevenson Park. Her husband Dwight is also creative and has designed and made many of the tiny fairy doors located in the park.
Shawn was helped with her decorations by members of Keep Friendswood Beautiful, who will join her both days as tour guides in the home. A must-see along with the Santas are her Snow Babies collection and a large Nutcracker Nativity Scene from Germany.
Together, Shawn and Dwight have five adult children and six grandchildren. Their children live in Friendswood, Dallas, Colorado, and Kansas City.
Home tours are from 1 to 5 pm each day. Tickets are on sale now at various businesses in Friendswood as well as at the garden clubhouse at 112 W. Spreading Oaks. During the two days, from 9 am to 5 pm, there will be a Holiday Market, bakery, raffles, and more.
The Holiday Market is open from 9 am to 4 pm daily and free for all shoppers to attend. Vendors will offer perfect holiday gifts for everyone on shoppers’ gift lists. The garden club will also offer its Treasure Chest Boutique for shoppers.
The theme for the entire Heritage Gardener event this year is Dressed in Holiday Style, and plans are underway for a great Santa’s Bakery (no need to make desserts for Thanksgiving) and the tour and vendor market for shopping. Raffles are bigger and better than ever this year.
Follow Heritage Gardeners on Facebook to see vendor products, homes on the tour, and more.
